Bodega DreamsIn this "thriller with literary merit" (Time Out New York), a stunning narrative combines the gritty rhythms of Junot Diaz with the noir genius of Walter Mosley. Bodega Dreams pulls us into Spanish Harlem, where the word is out: Willie Bodega is king. Need college tuition for your daughter? Start-up funds for your fruit stand? Bodega can help. He gives everyone a leg up, in exchange only for loyalty—and a steady income from the drugs he pushes. Lyrical, inspired, and darkly funny, this powerful debut novel brilliantly evokes the trial of Chino, a smart, promising young man to whom Bodega turns for a favor. Chino is drawn to Bodega's street-smart idealism, but soon finds himself over his head, navigating an underworld of switchblade tempers, turncoat morality, and murder. "Bodega is a fascinating character. . . . The story [Quiñonez] tells has energy and verve." —The New York Times Book Review |
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Ernesto Quiñonez. o c E - o G o E "Bodega is a fascinating character.... The story IQuiñonez] tells has energy and nerve.” | -The New York Times Book Review a n d v El ERNEST0 0 UINONEZ ERNESTO QUINONEz B o D E G A D R. Front Cover.
Ernesto Quiñonez. o c E - o G o E "Bodega is a fascinating character.... The story IQuiñonez] tells has energy and nerve.” | -The New York Times Book Review a n d v El ERNEST0 0 UINONEZ ERNESTO QUINONEz B o D E G A D R. Front Cover.
Page 4
He didn't need teachers or anyone else telling him this. The meanest and ugliest kid on the block loved himself and not only that, he was my pana, my friend. This gave me hope, and getting a name seemed possible.
He didn't need teachers or anyone else telling him this. The meanest and ugliest kid on the block loved himself and not only that, he was my pana, my friend. This gave me hope, and getting a name seemed possible.
Page 10
When that bitch saint tells my moms the Lotto numbers, then I'll believe. Yo, I'll believe. Yo, I'll believe so bad I'll buy Santa Clara a fucken wax museum.” My Mother hated Sapo. “I don't want to see you hanging around with that ...
When that bitch saint tells my moms the Lotto numbers, then I'll believe. Yo, I'll believe. Yo, I'll believe so bad I'll buy Santa Clara a fucken wax museum.” My Mother hated Sapo. “I don't want to see you hanging around with that ...
Page 16
“But what if one day Enrique doesn't tell you where he is taking you and actually takes you somewhere bad? What if the police bust him and since you were with him you get in trouble too? That happens a lot, you know.
“But what if one day Enrique doesn't tell you where he is taking you and actually takes you somewhere bad? What if the police bust him and since you were with him you get in trouble too? That happens a lot, you know.
Page 19
So, without telling Blanca, I did as Sapo had asked. THE NExt night Sapo knocked at my door and handed me fifty dollars, just for taking something to where I was already headed. “Compliments of Willie Bodega, my man. For your backpack.
So, without telling Blanca, I did as Sapo had asked. THE NExt night Sapo knocked at my door and handed me fifty dollars, just for taking something to where I was already headed. “Compliments of Willie Bodega, my man. For your backpack.
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ain't Alberto Salazar Alleluia asked aunt b'cause baby Barrio bitch Blanca Blessington building called Chino church Claudia Colombia cops crazy DeJesus door East Harlem East River Enrique everything eyes face fire Fischman floor fuck fucken girl gonna hand happy hated head hear heard hope inside Iris Chacón Izzy Julia de Burgos Julio killed knew Latin laughed leave living looked married Mercado mother Nazario Negra neighborhood Nene never nigga night nodded okay opened Ortiz pana Pentecostal Puerto Rican Robert Frost Roberto Vega Salazar salsa Sapo Sapo's shit sister smiled someone Spanish Harlem stared street Taino talk Tapia tell Thass Thass right things thought told took Vasquez Vera's Veronica Victor Vidal waiting walked Whassup whispered wife William Irizarry Willie Bodega Yeah yelled